Community asset transfer: supporting local groups and residents

Sometimes, buildings or spaces owned by the council that have been used by community or voluntary groups become available again. This could be because they’re no longer needed, too expensive to maintain in the usual way, or simply could be better run by the community itself.

Instead of letting these places go unused, we look at whether they could be offered to local groups at low or no rent. If doing so would benefit the city and its residents more than the income we’d get from renting or selling them, we may transfer the asset to the community.

Why this matters

This process helps:

• keep valuable spaces in use for the benefit of local people
• empower community and voluntary groups to take the lead
• encourage creative and inclusive uses of buildings
• make sure decisions are based on what’s best for residents.

How it works

Whenever an opportunity comes up, we will advertise it here. There are currently no opportunities available. If you would like to be notified when an asset transfer comes up, please email community@norwich.gov.uk.

We’ve created a clear policy and guidance to help groups understand what’s involved. 

We want to make sure:

• every opportunity is open to all interested groups
• a wide range of ideas and uses are considered
• groups know the full costs and responsibilities of managing a building.

The application process

We use a two-stage process:

• expression of interest – a short form to tell us your idea.  Read guidance on how to apply
• business case – if your idea is accepted, you’ll work with us to develop a full plan.

Each application is reviewed individually, based on the criteria in our policy.

How long does the process take?

View the steps and typical timeframes